Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Community groups are using the anniversary of the earthquake and nuclear disaster in Japan to address safety issues with nuclear plants closer to home.
The groups gathered along Lodi Street on Monday, calling on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to hold a public hearing on the Fitzpatrick Power Plant.
The group says there are design problems that make the plant vulnerable to the same issues as those in Japan. Because of that, they believe the NRC should suspend operations there.
"It's not a question of likely or unlikely, it’s a question of what we believe to be our due process and that we’re going to be making those demands and we’re going to be putting pressure not only on Fitzpatrick, but also on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” said Paul Gunter, with Beyond Nuclear.
The owner of Fitzpatrick has always argued that the plant runs under the watchful eye of the NRC and is being operated safely.
